Waterman shines in WA gloom

Waterman shines in WA gloom - The West Australian

Alec Waterman has underlined his potential to be a draft steal for West Coast this year with a standout performance for WA in a heavy 87-point loss to Vic Metro in the AFL under-18 championships today.

Waterman, the son of dual Eagles premiership player Chris Waterman, gathered 35 disposals, 17 of them contested, and had 10 clearances to be one of few winners for his side.

Potential first-round pick Christian Petracca rebounded from a quiet first half to claim best on ground honours for Vic Metro with 27 disposals, seven clearances and two goals in the 15.20 (110) to 2.11 (23) win.

Paul Ahern (23 disposals, two goals) and Tom Wilkinson (30 disposals, six inside-50s) were another two of Vic Metro’s best.

Petracca gave Vic Metro the perfect start at Medibank Stadium with a goal over the top in the opening minutes, but WA’s control of the clearances gave them a big advantage when it came to the possession count.

The ball went into WA’s forward 50 plenty of times, but inaccuracy in front of goal killed their chances.

Conversely, it seemed the visitors couldn’t miss as Brenton Payne and Angus Brayshaw made it three goals straight for their side.

A purple patch from South Fremantle speedster Jarrod Pickett gave WA two goals in less than two minutes but when Ahern responded at the other end it gave Metro the momentum leading into the first break.

Metro forward Ed Langdon kicked the only goal of the second term, keeping the contest tight at half-time, but the third quarter saw the Victorians begin to win the midfield battle and increase their number of shots on goal as a result.

Four goals to none for the term gave them a 54-point lead at the final break before blowing the margin out even further in the fourth quarter.